WHY PUBLISHERS HATE CHRISTMAS
Why do publishers hate Christmas?
Because we’re mean Grinches with coal in our hearts and switches in our hands (and the switches are not for fun!) No, that’s not it. We want to have love in our hearts and a gift in the stocking of every good reader and author but…deadlines happen.
Authors may wonder why they have to write Christmas stories in August. The secret is simple. Christmas stories that come out in January don’t sell. If the stories aren’t in with time for editors, artists, proofers, marketers to do their magic by December 25th, there is no point in doing the story at all.
Seasonal stories or any time-sensitive stories can be a nightmare. Things happen and even the most reliable author can have their computer blow up or their kid get sick with the deadline ticking away. Build in extra time and more than extra time in your writing schedule when you absolutely, positively have to have that story in at a certain time. Ditto for stories accepted on proposal.
That way you let your publishers (and you) have your days be merry and bright and all your Christmases be write… or something like that.
Because we’re mean Grinches with coal in our hearts and switches in our hands (and the switches are not for fun!) No, that’s not it. We want to have love in our hearts and a gift in the stocking of every good reader and author but…deadlines happen.
Authors may wonder why they have to write Christmas stories in August. The secret is simple. Christmas stories that come out in January don’t sell. If the stories aren’t in with time for editors, artists, proofers, marketers to do their magic by December 25th, there is no point in doing the story at all.
Seasonal stories or any time-sensitive stories can be a nightmare. Things happen and even the most reliable author can have their computer blow up or their kid get sick with the deadline ticking away. Build in extra time and more than extra time in your writing schedule when you absolutely, positively have to have that story in at a certain time. Ditto for stories accepted on proposal.
That way you let your publishers (and you) have your days be merry and bright and all your Christmases be write… or something like that.
Comments